This document discusses language tools for speculating, including adverbs like apparently and supposedly, modal verbs like could and may, and expressions like people say and I've heard that. It provides examples of how to use these tools in sentences to convey that a statement is not definitely true but is speculation or opinion. The tools can be used to speculate about present or past events or abilities.
2. ADVERBS:
We use adverbs, such as apparently,
supposedly, maybe, perhaps, possibly…, to
show that we are not sure that what we are saying
is completely true.
Examples: Apparently there are aliens landing on Earth
all the time.
These adverbs come in different positions in a
sentence:
Examples: Apparently, she communicated through
telepathy all her life.
She apparently communicated throught
telepathy all her life
She communicated apparently though telepathy
all her life.
3. MODALS:
We can use modal verbs to speculate about
something that we are not sure about:
Examples: It’s an old house, they could
simply be noises as the houses cools down
in the evening.
He may/ might have a special sort
of power that means he can hear what you
are saying.
If we are speculating about the past, we use a
perfect tense after the modal verb.
4. EXPRESSIONS:
We can use some expressions to show that
what we are saying is not necessarily our
opinion. This adds doubt:
Examples: People say the circles are made
by alien space ships.
I’ve heard that she can see into the
future and tell you what is going to happen.